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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



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  #91  
Old 26 Oct 2007
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You mean this one?



Looks like it's not dead after acquiring Husqvarna, looks like they still want to continue the development of EFI 450cc single offroader, maybe with some co-operation with Husqvarna now?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
It's appearing in the US this weekend - can't remember the race series, but it is reputedly the first appearance over there.
I found this in the web:

BMW G 450 X MAKES U.S. DEBUT AT GRAND NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY
RACE IN CRAWFORDSVILLE, INDIANA, OCTOBER 27-28

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – October 18, 2007… BMW Motorrad’s 450cc
sports enduro prototype – the BMW G 450 X – will make it first
U.S. appearance at the GNCC (Grand National Cross Country) race
in Crawfordsville, Indiana October 27-28. Former motocross
world champion Simo Kirssi – the lone BMW entrant -- will pilot
the G 450 X in the class of Pro Bikes in a 3-hour race from
1:00 to 4:00 pm on the 28th.

The talented Finn rode the G 450 X to its first-ever victory in
its most recent appearance in the final round of the 2007
European Cross Country Championship, held in Schefflenz,
Germany, October 6-7. The on-going development of the
production bike has been widely viewed by the public throughout
the off-road racing season in Europe, but the new enduro has
never made tire tracks on American soil.

The AMA/ATVA-sanctioned Can-Am Grand National Cross Country
Series is America's premier off-road racing series. The 13-
round race series stretches through the eastern U.S., beginning
with the season-opener in Florida in March and concludes with
the season-finale in Indiana in October.

Berti Hauser, head of BMW Motorrad Motorsport, is hoping for
another cross country victory across the pond. “We’ve
demonstrated that our sports enduro concept not only works, but
is capable of winning races,” he reported. “Now, we have
raised the bar to aim for consistent top performance.”

For more information about the Grand National Cross Country
Series, visit Grand National Cross Country Racing Series -- America's Largest Off-Road Racing Series -- Racer Productions, Inc..


BTW, we've also heard rumours that Jimmy Lewis will race the
HP2 Enduro in the Veterans class, which if true will be a first
for a GNCC race, as well.


Special Announcement

At the end of the event BMW will be making a major announcement
that any BMW fan will want to know about!


Lane Swall
General Manager
Sierra Motorcycle Companies

Sierra BMW Motorcycle
Sierra Motorcycle Supply
1380 Kleppe Lane
Sparks, NV 89431

Last edited by Margus; 26 Oct 2007 at 07:21.
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  #92  
Old 26 Oct 2007
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Yep, the very one Margus!
For now, BMW are keeping the faith with their own brand!
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  #93  
Old 26 Oct 2007
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Wink That 800GS again X 4

A story doing the rounds on another forum is below; you could not invent this (unless you sat up all night or are a script writer!).

OPTIONS...

1.) The basic 800GS:
Very closely related to the current 650GS by way of suspension travel and range per tank. (~200miles).
The 90/10 ratio applies...Much better suited for the packed stuff out of the box, but handles the pavement like its big brother the 1200, solid...This version will go down in history as a great wannabe rally god looking bike -in commuter covering. Due in part to it’s having a seat that is actually designed by someone who cares about everyone's bottom end, yes gone will be the need to ply the “jewels” from the Faux tank!! Fuel consumption is down a little from the 650 to average out to ~58 MPG...better or worse dependent upon the user! BHP is around 72. Elec power output is up, never an issue running heated clothing, GPS, and add on lights. etc...
Stripped this would fall in the $8800.00 range.
Option package (heated grips/ABS/power outlet/center stand) $9300.00
Many colors available. More Hi Visibility colors come into use.

2.) The 800GS Dakar:
Adds another 2” of suspension and another 1.5 gal of fuel. Yes, a little more fuel...
Gone are the days of waving flags spewed across the tank...Some other conservative scheme is applied to ID the Dakar version other than by its height. Standard is a real Dakar windscreen, paw protectors, better pegs and engine guards...~$9500.00. Optioned out as mentioned above, add another $500. A cool $10,000.00 will get you a set of keys. One color scheme only.

3.) The HP800GS:
An all out monster. Lightened by bits and pieces that are forged. Compression is up, power output is up to 80 BHP and gearing is matched for the apparent usage. Suspension is better than the G650, -much better. Fully adjustable in every sense. No extras. No options. A true Enduro/ almost MX bike that will go anywhere at great velocities. Has the smaller fuel tank of the standard GS (for weight reduction). Paw protection, pegs, bar, risers, tires, chain guard...All the goodies you’d want for off road performance and thats all you’ll find on this version.
Knowing “someone” will complain about the range, getting the larger tank is something that must be done on ones own. You’ll need to order the Dakar tank and seat combo, and install yourself.
NOTE: The HP version seat will be designed by someone who stands on the pegs 90% of the time and could care less about a comfortable seat...You’ve been warned.
The suspension upgrade on this model alone drives the price up $2000.00. So no, you will not need to go and get a “better aftermarket suspension later”...This set up is awesome and can be sent back for rebuilds ----done (at) any BMW dealership around the world.
Add the “less costs more” theory- (for reference search LTW M3 to see the differences less makes in $$) and you will shell out in the neighborhood of $14500.00...
The Dakar tank and seat combo (if ordered with the bike) will run ~$750.00. Ordered separately, expect to pay almost $1100.00

4.) To pay respect and give some homage to the original...

Enter the Limited Edition.

800GSPD:

Paint scheme matched to the original 80 GSPD.
Huge tank. Yes a huge tank capable of letting you run well over 300 miles between gas and pee breaks.
Suspension of the Dakar model, but has more adjustability. Some bits and pieces of the HP show up on this model, helping to keep the weight down and performance up.
Elec power can run a set of lights so hot they’ll melt the corneas out of passing motorists at 50 yards. Plus handle anything you plug in, be it jump starting stranded 18 wheelers and RVs - and what not...
Lower compression ratio so as to have the ability to run ANY nasty fuel you happen to find and it still runs great. Gearing is suited more for a 50/50 planned usage. Tubeless wire tires...with a 21” on the front. .
All options of the Dakar plus center stand, heated grips, and a very easy to get to (but not accidentally) ON/OFF ABS switch. Plus this model comes standard with HID.
Price is the SAME as the HP, $14,500.00
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  #94  
Old 26 Oct 2007
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He did sit up all night and he did invent it - when this story first appeared on advrider it finished with the classic Henry's Cat punchline 'and then I woke up.' The last line's been chopped and the dream's been circulating ever since.

1 out of 10....

Suerte, Dan
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  #95  
Old 27 Oct 2007
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Wink BMW can keep a secret

Thanks for the education on that one Dan; that's what a rumour thread is about I guess.

BMW are pretty good at keeping secrets so, for now, will just have to revert to the rumour of about a month ago:-

Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
More detail of the Beemer rumours are contained in posts no 20/21 here:-

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub.../f800gs-8365-2

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  #96  
Old 31 Oct 2007
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Wink Moto Guzzi confirms the Stelvio

The Stelvio is revealed, except there are no technical details here and no prices!
At least the pics are pretty:-

Moto Guzzi releases first official pictures of the Moto Guzzi Stelvio - Motorcycle News - MCN#

Shaping up well for the Milan show next week and MG gets their press release out ahead of Beemer!

Does Moto Guzzi deserve it's own technical forum, now that it has a bike to rival the BMW 1200GS (to name one rival), or does it end up in the "other bikes" technical forum?
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  #97  
Old 31 Oct 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
Does Moto Guzzi deserve it's own technical forum, now that it has a bike to rival the BMW 1200GS (to name one rival), or does it end up in the "other bikes" technical forum?
Let's see in a couple of years' time. Maybe?
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  #98  
Old 1 Nov 2007
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Question

Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
The Stelvio is revealed, except there are no technical details here and no prices!
At least the pics are pretty:-

Moto Guzzi releases first official pictures of the Moto Guzzi Stelvio - Motorcycle News - MCN#
Is it my imagination or they've swapped to 17" front wheel now?

When the first pics of Stelvio came out it was 19" front (I think?) like the GS and I seriously started to think about one, since it'll be then the only bike directly comparable with BMW boxer GS. They both share the same benefits (for me): dry clutch, separated gearbox oil, single sided shaft drive for long maitainance intervals, horizontally mounted engine for ease of maintainance and character, plus ABS option.

But now Guzzi says they want to focus it more to tar-only handling, thus making it 2x17" wheeler, another "city hooligan" bike that the latest fashion is, like the new Triumph Tiger, Buell Ulysses, Ducati Multistrada etc? But 17" frontender isn't exacly a very comfortible-capable third world travel bike in my book, especially when in combination with relatively small suspension travel...

I seriously hope they'll sell 19" front wheel version of it too with longer suspension travel and optimized chasis balance for carrying bigger radius front wheel. I'd seriously consider one in the future then!
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  #99  
Old 1 Nov 2007
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Earlier I too read some rumors claiming that Guzzi was aiming at the new Tiger rather than the GS. I think these pictures of the Stelvio proves otherwise, that GS is Guzzi's main target. It seems to me like a 19" up front and 17" back there, but we'll know for sure in a couple of day's time.
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  #100  
Old 3 Nov 2007
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Mg

Hi Indu,
The Italian websites are saying that it is a 19" front with 17" rear.
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  #101  
Old 3 Nov 2007
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Thumbs up F800gs

It has arrived, for sure (to quote Rossi) - no more rumours.

A post in here has lots of pics in the link:-

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...294#post157340

& there seems to be a F800GS Adv, or it may just be another colour scheme!!
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  #102  
Old 3 Nov 2007
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A colour scheme for sure. But a nice one... If BMW plays this right, they'll make this the new Africa Twin...
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  #103  
Old 6 Nov 2007
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Milan show.........

....has lots of new bike releases. Apart from the 800GS, BMW have the reinvigorated 1200GS: Milan Show: BMW overhauls R1200GS for 2008 - Motorcycle News - MCN

which has not changed in the plastics as much as had been rumoured, but it does have some fancy bits for the suspension adjustment.

Honda: they have a few new scooters to sell to you and similar bits and pieces. They are at pains to add that their design studio in Italy has been busy on the case - just letting you know this in case anyone else is tempted to watch the video download that can be found in the UK MCN website - don't bother and save yourself 20 minutes!!!
ps Honda display their bikes as models paraded on a catwalk!
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  #104  
Old 26 Nov 2007
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Bike show - UK NEC

Apart from all of the big stands showing the latest Tenere/800GS/650GS etc, there was this in the RE area:-

Royal Enfield Woodsman launched - Motorcycle News - MCN

It's a pretty looking bike, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Here's the bigger pic, that shows more clearly the high exhaust system, the rack and the bash plate:
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload...ldwoodsman.jpg
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Last edited by Walkabout; 30 Nov 2007 at 22:30. Reason: Another pic added
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  #105  
Old 26 Nov 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Margus View Post
You mean this one?



Looks like it's not dead after acquiring Husqvarna, looks like they still want to continue the development of EFI 450cc single offroader, maybe with some co-operation with Husqvarna now?


Margus,

It is at the current show in the UK and available to buy from mid-2008.
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